Goran Dragic's first game against the Phoenix Suns was bound to be contentious. His departure from the desert wasn't exactly seamless, and both Phoenix and the Miami Heat are fighting for their playoff lives.

Franchise players have carte blanche, and rightfully so. Legitimate superstars are power brokers in the NBA because it's been proven time and again that a team needs one – and preferably two or three – to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy come a season's end.

So much for Robert Sarver's misplaced obstinance standing in the way of a Goran Dragic trade. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Phoenix Suns have agreed to send the disgruntled lefty point guard to the Miami Heat.

If Goran Dragic wants out of the desert, it looks increasingly likely that he'll have to make the move himself. Despite the reigning All-NBA Third Team honoree publicly confirming his trade request, Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver is reportedly intent on retaining him past today's 3:00 PM deadline.

Goran Dragic is operating as if his time with the Phoenix Suns is over. Less than 24 hours after news broke that he wants to be traded before Thursday's deadline, the reigning All-NBA Third Team honoree spoke to reporters and said he's "already made up my mind" about his future in Phoenix.

The Phoenix Suns want Goran Dragic for the long-haul, and the reigning All NBA Third-Team honoree wants to keep playing for the organization that spurred his rise to stardom. But there's a complicating factor to Dragic's future in Phoenix: the presence of much-debated offseason signee Isaiah Thomas.

So much for longevity of the three-headed point guard monster. In wake of reports claiming the Phoenix Suns are seeking merely a first-round pick in exchange for Goran Dragic, ESPN says the desert's team is looking to deal Isaiah Thomas instead.